City Council to Approve Tattoo Parlor Downtown, But Still Discussing Details

After nearly two years of discussion, the Peekskill City Council came one step closer to in the city last night.

The Council has approved allowing tattoo parlors in the downtown district, in addition to other districts (discussed ,) and directed city staff on details of other regulations they want in place.

Last night, City Planner Anthony Ruggiero asked the council for some clarification on final details on their requests for regulations that were discussed a work session earlier this month.

The Council directed him to draft the language so that tattooing would have to be done in a back room, would not visible to people outside and must include some kind of artist gallery in the front of the establishment.

The Council also decided that they would retain the right to approve the special permits needed for a business to operate as a tattoo parlor. Acting City Manager and Corporation Counsel explained that with issues like this it is up to the council whether they want jurisdiction over the permits or if they want to allow the Planning Commission to handle.

“I prefer the council retain more oversight until it is proven (what the issues might be),” Foster said of the process of granting special permits to interested business owners. “Whether we delegate it or keep it, we bear the burden because we have reintroduced the use,” Foster said of potential complaints or issues that could arise once the ban is lifted and a tattoo parlor opens.

None of the council members objected to retaining the rights over the permits.  

License renewals would be handled at the administrative level. 

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

Ruggiero had recommended changing the required distance from a parlor to primary and secondary schools to 250 feet and the required distance from one parlor to another to 250, both down from previously discussed 500 feet. But the council wants more information on how that distance is measured and to see maps of how far this would put parlors from schools in the downtown district.

They also agreed that the city should not require a tattoo artist wishing to open a studio/parlor to be a certified artist, as had been previously discussed. Ruggiero explained that this is a requirement to live in an artist loft, but not to open a business in that district. The council agreed.

The city staff also recommends that the language in the regulations refer to the “tattooist” by that name and not by “tattoo artist,” so as to be clear that a tattooist does not have to be a certified artist.

The council instructed Ruggiero to continue cleaning up the language of the regulation and to return to them with maps that show the differences in 250 and 500 feet distances from downtown schools.

What do you think of the council's latest decisions? Tell us in the comments and take our poll.